Method and apparatus for efficient power delivery in power supply system

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a power supply operable to output power to a load along with at least one other power supply, a sensing component for identifying a load level, and a control component for switching the power supply from a full power mode to a power saving mode based on the identified load level. The power supply shares current with the other power supply at a lower current and generally the same voltage as the other power supply while in the power saving mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A power supply system comprising:
 a first power supply operable to output power to a load; and 
 a second power supply electrically coupled in parallel with the first power supply to output electrical power to the load, 
 wherein the first power supply comprises:
 a load level sensor operable to identify a load level below a specified threshold; and 
 a power saving mode controller for receiving input from the load level sensor and switching the first power supply from a full power mode to a power saving mode based on the load level identified by the load level sensor, 
 
 wherein the second power supply operates in the full power mode with the power saving mode disabled, and 
 wherein the first power supply is configured to share current with the second power supply at a lower current and a same voltage as the second power supply in the power saving mode. 
 
     
     
       2. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the load is electrically connected with the first power supply and the second power supply over one or more of a power line, a power plane, or a power bus. 
     
     
       3. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the first power supply further comprises a time delay device configured to delay a time between the load level sensor identifying the load level falling below the specified threshold and the power saving mode controller switching the first power supply from the full power mode to the power saving mode. 
     
     
       4. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the first power supply is configured to switch from the power saving mode to the full power mode when the load level identified by the load level sensor exceeds a second threshold. 
     
     
       5. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the first power supply and the second power supply operate independently from one another in determining whether to switch from the full power mode to the power saving mode. 
     
     
       6. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first power supply and the second power supply is configured with a different time delay for entering into the power saving mode based on the load level being identified by the load level sensor as falling below the specified threshold. 
     
     
       7. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the specified threshold comprises 30% of a full load and wherein the lower current comprises 10% or less of a full load operating current. 
     
     
       8. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the load level sensor is configured to identify a bus signal at the first power supply and provide input to the power saving mode controller for use by the power saving mode controller in switching the first power supply between the full power mode and the power saving mode. 
     
     
       9. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are electrically connected to a power source that supplies an alternating current or direct current to the first power supply and the second power supply and wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are connected to a controller that sets variable delay times for the first power supply and the second power supply. 
     
     
       10. The power supply system of  claim 1 , wherein the specified threshold comprises one of a forced current share ratio, droop current share ratio, current output ratio, other power supply output voltage, or an abnormal operation condition or fault in the power supply system. 
     
     
       11. A method comprising:
 identifying, by a load level sensor, that a load level is below a specified threshold; 
 switching, by a power saving mode controller, a first power supply from a full power mode to a power saving mode based on the load level being identified, wherein the first power supply outputs power to a load; and 
 operating the first power supply in the power saving mode in which the first power supply shares current with a second power supply at a lower current and a same voltage as the second power supply, wherein the second power supply is electrically coupled in parallel with the first power supply to output electrical power to the load and operates in the full power mode with the power saving mode disabled. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the load is electrically connected with the first power supply and the second power supply over one or more of a power line, a power plane, or a power bus. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 delaying a time between the load level being identified and switching of the first power supply from the full power mode to the power saving mode. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 switching the first power supply from the power saving mode to the full power mode when the load level is identified to exceed another threshold. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 independently determining, by the first power supply and the second power supply, whether to switch from the full power mode to the power saving mode. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 setting different time delays for the first power supply and the second power supply for delaying switching into the power saving mode when the load level is identified as being below the specified threshold. 
 
     
     
       17. An apparatus comprising:
 a first power supply operable to output power to a load; and 
 a second power supply electrically coupled in parallel with the first power supply to output electrical power to the load, 
 wherein the first power supply comprises:
 a load level sensor operable to identify a load level below a specified threshold; and 
 a power saving mode controller for receiving input from the load level sensor and switching the first power supply from a full power mode to a power saving mode based on the load level identified by the load level sensor, 
 wherein the second power supply operates in the full power mode with the power saving mode disabled, and 
 wherein the first power supply is configured to share current with the second power supply at a lower current and a same voltage as the second power supply in the power saving mode. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the load is electrically connected with the first power supply and the second power supply over one or more of a power line, power plane, or a power bus. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first power supply further comprises a time delay device configured to delay a time between the load level sensor identifying the load level falling below the specified threshold and the power saving mode controller switching the first power supply from the full power mode to the power saving mode. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are electrically connected to a power source that supplies an alternating current or direct current to the first power supply and the second power supply, and wherein the first power supply and the second power supply are connected to a controller that sets variable delay times for the first power supply and the second power supply.